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Vianney

It’s chilly outside, but don’t you worry: We’ve got plenty of tantalizing soup recipes to keep you comfy and warm. Making homemade soup is an easy, inexpensive way to create a bowl of healthy goodness for you and your family. A one-pot wonder, soups, caldos, and sopitas are a open canvas to an endless supply of ingredients. Meats, seafood, vegetables, pastas, and beans all make for tasty variations.

Often made to relieve the common cold or flu, soup is loved worldwide. Every heritage has its own traditional soup, with each generation adding its own personal touch.

So come in from the cold this month and enjoy a big bowl of comfort with one these popular Latin soups, each with its own cultural twist.

1. Crema de Maíz Pozolero – A wonderful meatless meal option, this soup is made from hominy (which is used to make menudo) with a touch of cream.

2. Albóndigas de Camaron – Growing up in South Texas, where shrimp is abundant, I always loved this soup, a family favorite. Succulent meatballs made from freshly ground shrimp swim in a rich broth.

3. Cream of Ancho Chile Soup – Ancho chilies are often used to make salsas and moles, but here, this amazing chile is the base for a creamy soup. It’s smooth, vibrant, and spicy! Just add some chicken, cheese, and avocado, and you’re all set.

(La Cocina de Leslie)

4. Sopa de Res – A hearty soup, packed with tender stew meat, potatoes, carrots, corn, and chunky salsa, that can be enjoyed all year.

5. Sopa de poro y papa – Feeling homesick for Mexico, Maura at The Other Side of the Tortilla recreated this light soup made with leeks and potatoes. To make this soup vegetarian, simply swap out the chicken and use vegetable broth.

6. Sopa de Lima – A light chicken broth seasoned with onions, parsley, tomatoes, lime, and jalapeño is served with shredded chicken and garnished with tortilla strips and avocado.

8. Sopa de Papas y Quinoa – This is a popular soup inla sierra (the mountains) when the weather turns chilly. It’s made with quinoa, onion, garlic, and potatoes, and is flavored with annatto, oregano, cumin, and peanut butter. Top this soup with queso fresco and parsley for a soul-soothing meal.

9. Sancocho de Siete Carnes – One of the Dominican’s most treasured dishes, prepared on special occasions, sancocho is made with seven different types of meats, cooked low and slow to create the ultimate comfort dish.

(The Other Side of the Tortilla )

10. Sopa de Patacón – A staple in Colombia, green plantains (patacones) are made into appetizers, snacks, side dishes… and soups. Easy to make and budget friendly, this sopa will soon become a family favorite.

11. Sopa de Lentejas – A creamy lentil soup made with coral lentils, coconut milk, and tomatoes. Add a hint of warmth from cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin, and this soup is ready to be enjoyed.

12. Asopao de Camarones – Popular in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, asopao is enjoyed on rainy days, made to feed large family gatherings, all in one pot. This soup can be made with chicken or shrimp.

(Aromas & Sabores )

13. Sopa de Calabaza – A bright creamy soup made from butternut squash gets a splash of heat from Tabasco sauce.

14. Sopa de Garbanzo – I adore garbanzo beans, so this soup is right up my alley: luscious garbanzo beans combined with chile de arbol. Perfect harmony.

15. Locro de Papa – A classic Ecuadorian potato and cheese soup is a great soup for cold, rainy, or snowy weather. It can be served as a first course, but is satisfying and filling enough to make a complete meal.

(Flanboyant Eats )

LATISM 2012 Best Latina Food Blogger Vianney Rodriguez is founder and developer for Sweet Life Bake. Sweet Life Bake has appeared as one of NBC Latina’s Food Blogs We Love, and was featured in Latina Magazine as one of their Best Food Blogs.